I'd like to add that before I actually do the crossing to Catalina with
a 19 footer, I'll do these things first.

1. (this goes w/o saying)have all USCG safety eqmpt's, gps, compass,
vhf radio and boat tow membership
2. do plenty of trial runs along the coast and to the mid-channel with
another adult
3. for the first actual run, I won't take the kids, just me and my
wife. I'll probably follow along the Catalina Express in the early
morning. dont' know if I could keep up with its 35-knot speed, though.
4. I know it's a bad idea to come back during the late afternoon or
evening, so I guess we'd always come back the next morning. We'd also
avoid the Santa Ana winds season.

would I get any "nods of approval" then? any comments are welcomed.
thx

so

s o wrote:
hi,

I'm looking at a 1996 bayliner 1952 cuddy(19 ft) with a 3.0 135 hp
mercruiser I/O. asking $6000. is this a good deal. boat is fairly
well maintained.

I've read some posts on 3.0 vs. 4.3, I think I should be fine with a
3.0. I'll be mainly using it for close to shore cruising (and maybe
fishing) with the family and occasionally overnight at Catalina
Island(I live in SoCal.) My kids are 3 and 5, so no skiiing power
needed. I've talked to a couple of people at a boat ramp, they had 20
or 22 ft boats and gone to Catalina in them. I guess 19 ft should be
ok as well.

will this boat meet my needs? any comments are welcomed(but please no
religious war on Bayliner vs. other boats, etc). thanks.

s o